mUltimate Chopin

Op. 28 No. 21, Prelude in B♭ major

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Slurs

b. 23

composition: Op. 28 No. 21, Prelude in B♭ major

..

The slur of A reaches as far as the rest on the 3rd beat of the bar. In this context, it seems to be an inaccuracy, which is confirmed by the ending of the slur having been crossed out by Chopin. In turn, in a similar situation in b. 31, the equally boldly written slur was left uncorrected.

category imprint: Corrections & alterations; Source & stylistic information

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , Corrections in A , Deletions in A

b. 33-36

composition: Op. 28 No. 21, Prelude in B♭ major

5 slurs in A, literal reading

5 slurs in A, contextual interpretation

5 slurs in FC

3 slurs in FE (→EE)

2 slurs in GE
..

In the main text we give a contextual interpretation of the slurring of A – we consider the bottom slur in b. 33, which closes the line, to be inaccurate, since it is too short (like in a few other places, see b. 1). The clearly extended slurs in subsequent analogous bars undoubtedly reveal Chopin's intention. However, this notation was not reproduced correctly in any of the sources, which may be explained by revision (in all cases), an erroneous interpretation (FC) or carelessness (GE).

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness

issues: Errors in FE , Inaccurate slurs in A , Errors in GE , FE revisions , Inaccuracies in FC , Uncertain slur continuation

b. 37-38

composition: Op. 28 No. 21, Prelude in B♭ major

Slur from a1 in A (→FC,FE→EE)

Slur from a2 in GE
..

The slur of GE is manifestly erroneous, perhaps due to association with the slur in b. 35-36.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in GE

b. 38-39

composition: Op. 28 No. 21, Prelude in B♭ major

Slur to bar 39 in A, possible interpretation (→FE,FC→GE)

Slur in bar 38 in A, contextual interpretation

No slur in EE
..

Bar 38 ends the line in A. Both the R.H. and L.H. slurs that begin in that bar clearly indicate that they should be continued. However, there is no trace of continuation of those slurs in b. 39; what is more, in the R.H. part the bar begins with a rest, which proves that the notation of A in b. 38 is inaccurate. Due to the above reason, in the main text we suggest an interpretation according to which the L.H. slur also encompasses only the 5 last quavers in that bar. Nevertheless, we can regard the interpretation of FC (→GE) and FE as equal. 

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources; Source & stylistic information

issues: Errors in EE , Inaccurate slurs in A , Uncertain slur continuation

b. 39-40

composition: Op. 28 No. 21, Prelude in B♭ major

No slur in A (→FC→GE1, →FE→EE)

Slur in GE2 (→GE3)
..

Adding a slur in the L.H. part, moving in parallel to the R.H., is a frequent revision in German editions (especially later ones) – cf., e.g. the Concerto in F Minor, Op. 21, II mov., b. 65-68.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: GE revisions